Breathing apparatus system, method and computer-readable medium

ABSTRACT

In a breathing apparatus system, a method and a computer-readable medium, the system including a breathing apparatus having a display, a memory unit, and a processing unit in operative communication with the display and the memory unit; and said processing unit is configured to provide multiple selectable screen views, and to provide, upon selection of a screen view, on at least a portion of the display, a preview of the selected screen view. The system is more user-friendly than known systems and easier to overview during e.g. set-up of a new view.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This disclosure pertains in general to the field of breathing apparatuses. More particularly, the disclosure relates to the displaying of views on a display of a breathing apparatus system. Even more particularly the disclosure relates to a preview of a view to be displayed on a display of a breathing apparatus system.

2. Description of the Prior Art

User interfaces for ventilators, anesthesia machines and breathing apparatuses are since long graphical and often combined with a touch screen. However, the presentation of data and graphs for the operator of these devices has always been static and preconfigured. New modes and operations have been added, but the way data has been presented and edited has remained the same throughout the years. An example of a touch screen graphical user interface (GUI) is given in U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,539 A. In this document, not just the screen, but also a rotary knob (21 in FIG. 2) is used for adjusting modes and parameters.

Lately, some systems with more flexible GUI's have come into use. In these systems, an operator is given the possibility to configure the presentation of data to some extent. An example of such a system is given in WO2009/063404 A1. This document describes that the amount and level of data to be presented to a user is based on the level of knowledge the user has. Thus, a user with little knowledge will be given just basic data, whereas a user with more knowledge will be given more advanced data.

Furthermore, some systems and methods for configuring the layout of a graphical display in a ventilator system are known from US2012/0030611 A1. From this document the use of a preview of patient data parameters is known. However, the preview can only be displayed from a layout window and therefore it is not possible to go directly from one view to another via a preview.

Thus, there may be a need for a simple and lucid system, in which an operator can quickly and/or easily find a suitable layout for a specific application or mode.

Thus, it may be advantageous to provide an easier and friendlier user-interface and/or to provide for faster navigation from one view to another. This is in particular relevant in a clinical working environment, which requires most focus on the patient and least effort on operating medical devices like breathing apparatuses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure preferably seek to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more deficiencies, disadvantages or issues in the art, such as the above-identified, singly or in any combination by providing a breathing apparatus system, a method and a computer-readable medium, according to the appended patent claims.

According to aspects of the disclosure, a breathing apparatus system, a method and a computer-readable medium are disclosed, whereby a preview of a selected screen view is provided on at least a portion of the display, upon selection of a screen view. Alternatively, or in addition, at least one micro preview, i.e. a miniaturized preview, of user selectable new screen views may be provided, e.g. in a screen view for a quick change from a current screen view to a new screen view. The preview may include a live view of a new screen view that is user selectable. The live view may be a miniaturized version of the new view for user selection, wherein the preview is displayed with the current ventilation parameters and operational mode of the breathing apparatus, e.g. with rolling respiratory curves and/or current metrics. Depending on size of the preview screen view, it may comprise less details than the final version of the new view, but sufficient details allowing for an understanding of the clinical operator how the new screen view will be presented on the display of the breathing apparatus of the breathing apparatus system of the disclosure.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a breathing apparatus system is provided. The breathing apparatus system includes a breathing apparatus having a display, a memory unit, and a processing unit. The processing unit is in operative communication with the display and the memory unit. Furthermore, the processing unit is configured to provide a plurality of selectable screen views. Moreover, the processing unit is configured to provide, upon selection of a screen view, on at least a portion of the display, a preview of the selected screen view.

Thus an easier and friendlier user-interface and/or faster navigation from one view to another is achieved.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method in a breathing apparatus system is provided. The system includes a breathing apparatus having a display, a memory unit, and a processing unit. The method comprises providing a plurality of selectable screen views. Furthermore, the method comprises providing a preview of a selected screen view on at least a portion of the display, upon selection of a screen view.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, a computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a computer program for processing by a computer is provided. The computer program comprises a code segment for providing a plurality of selectable screen views. Moreover, the computer program comprises a code segment for providing a preview of the selected screen view on at least a portion of the display, upon selection of a screen view.

Further examples of the disclosure are defined in the dependent claims, wherein features for the second and subsequent aspects of the disclosure are as for the first aspect mutatis mutandis.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a simpler, easier to use and more user-friendly interface.

Some examples of the disclosure may provide for faster navigation from one view to another.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an easier and/or better overview during set-up of a new view.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for that an optimal amount of information may be displayed.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a more user-friendly and/or an easier way of setting up a new view.

Some examples of the disclosure also provide for that functions critical to the safety cannot easily be activated by mistake. Thus, some embodiments may provide for improved safety of the system.

The display may in certain examples be an integrated unit of the breathing apparatus. In some other examples, the display for the preview may be remotely arranged to that of the breathing apparatus on which the new view will be presented. A remotely arranged display for the preview may in the example be provided in a handheld device.

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an example of a breathing apparatus system.

FIG. 2 a is a schematic illustration of an example of a main window.

FIG. 2 b is a schematic illustration of an example of a view window.

FIG. 2 c is a schematic illustration of an example of a display of a breathing apparatus system.

FIG. 3 A, B, C are schematic illustrations of a examples of different views of a display during a time sequence.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an example of a front view of a preview.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of a method.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a computer program for processing by a computer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Specific embodiments of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

The following description focuses on an example of the present disclosure applicable to a breathing apparatus system and in particular to a breathing apparatus provided with a display, which can display different screen views and/or screen layouts. The display may be a touch screen to facilitate user input to the breathing apparatus via the touch screen. A specific screen view may be applicable to any breathing mode, or it may be associated with a specific breathing mode, i.e. the screen view may encompass the information displayed during the specific breathing mode. Such a screen view may be presented in different ways, each with a certain level of data. Since there are many different ways of presenting data in a screen view, it is paramount that the system is simple and lucid, so that a clinical operator can quickly and/or easily find a suitable layout for a specific application or mode. The breathing apparatus may be an intensive care ventilator, an anaesthesia apparatus, etc. Although, described below as if the interface consists of only a touch screen, the disclosure is not limited thereto, but can instead be practised with a user interface of a display having no touch input function and having other units for user input e.g. a rotary knob or with a user interface consisting of a rotary knob and a touch screen.

Now turning to the figures, a breathing apparatus system 10 is described with initial reference to FIG. 1.

The system 10 includes a breathing apparatus 1. The breathing apparatus 1 has a display 2, an internal memory unit 3, and a processing unit 5. A further display (not shown) may be arranged remotely from display 2 for the preview. The remote display is in communication with processing unit 5. The remote display may have another dedicated processing unit (not shown) for handling display functions thereof. The remote display may in an example be provided in a handheld device in the breathing apparatus system communicating with the breathing apparatus 1.

The internal memory unit 3 may have data elements 4 stored thereon. The data elements 4 may be background color data, background image data, sound data, multimedia data, etc.

The apparatus 1 may have a plurality of breathing or operational modes, such as pressure support, pressure control or volume control. All modes are associated with screen views. In all screen views, most of the operational parameters and/or most of the time curves of the operational parameters on the display are the same. However, a specific screen view may differ from another screen view when it comes to presentation of one or a few mode specific metrics or parameters. Furthermore, the screen views may contain additional information for certain patient categories and/or for certain types of products. Furthermore, the screen views may be adjusted for users or operators with different needs.

The processing unit 5 is configured to provide a plurality of operational modes of the apparatus and views associated with the modes. It may receive user input for selecting a specific operational mode of the apparatus and/or views associated with the mode. The breathing apparatus 1 is operated in a single operating mode at a time.

The display 2 has a total display area. The processing unit 5 is configured to display metrics and/or time curves of operational parameters on the display 2. The processing unit 5 may be configured to provide a first number of metrics and/or time curves of operational parameters of the breathing apparatus in a first screen view, and a second number of metrics and/or time curves of the operational parameters in a second screen view. The second number of metrics and/or time curves of the operational parameters may be less than the first number. The second number may also be zero.

The processing unit 5 may be configured to display metrics and/or time curves of operational parameters on substantially the entire display area in the first operational mode. This first screen view may in one example be an expert screen view for clinical full experts, such as respiratory therapists. This mode is very advantageous during demanding clinical situations or during e.g. a set-up of an operational mode. The first screen view may in other examples be a basic ventilation screen view.

The apparatus 1 may also have a communication interface 7 for connecting at least an external memory unit 6 to the apparatus 1.

The breathing apparatus system 10 may include the external memory unit 6 connectable to the breathing apparatus via the interface 7. The external memory unit 6 may have data elements 8 stored thereon. The data elements 8 may be background color data, background image data, sound data, multimedia data, etc.

The processing unit 5 is in operative communication with the display 2, the internal memory unit 3, and/or the external memory unit 6 when connected to the apparatus 1 via the interface 7.

One example is illustrated by FIGS. 2 a-2 c. FIG. 2 a shows a user interface in a running mode, with a screen view comprising a main window 242. The main window 242 shows graphs and data for the current screen view. The main window 242 comprises a menu 244. The menu 244 may be positioned at the right side of the main window 242. The menu 244 may alternatively be positioned at the left side, at the bottom or at the top of the main window 242.

The menu 244 comprises a plurality of selection areas. The selection areas 246, 248 may on the display be indicated with names and/or icons of selectable screen views, including a second screen view. As an alternative, one of the selection areas 246 may be provided with a name, such as “views” and when an operator taps the selection area 246, a view window 202 will open. The view window 202 comprises selection areas with names and/or icons of selectable second screen views.

The icons of selectable second screen views, on the menu 244 or the view window 202, may be a plurality of micro previews, i.e. miniaturized previews. Thus, an operator may be able to select a single suitable new view just from looking at the plurality of micro previews offered for selection.

The example is further illustrated in FIG. 2 b. FIG. 2 b shows a view window 202 with a list or a menu 204. From this figure it can be seen that the view window 202 comprises a menu 204. Alternatively, the view window 202 may comprise a list and/or an array of selection areas. In some examples, the menu 204, list or array is displayed in the view window 202 as a response to a user pressing a view selection area of the main window 242. Alternatively, the view window 202 is displayed at e.g. start-up. The menu 204, the list or the array gives an overview of available views with a selection area or a button to tap or tap and hold for each selectable view.

The menu 204 may be part of the view window 202 and may be positioned at the right side of the view window 202. The menu 204 may alternatively be positioned at the left side, at the bottom or at the top of the view window 202.

In the preferred example, the first screen view 222 (shown in FIG. 2 c) displayed on the display 2 is a main window 242. The main window 242 comprises a menu 244. The menu 244 comprises one or more selection areas 246, 248. When an operator taps on a selection area 246, a view window 202 will open. As seen in FIG. 2 b, the view window 202 comprises a menu, a list, an array or a group of items or selection areas 206, 208, 210, 212, 214. Each of the items or selection areas 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 are associated with selectable second screen views and are Tap- and Holdable and/or Tapable for selecting a second screen view 306 (shown in FIG. 3). The processing unit 5 is configured to provide a plurality of selectable screen views. These selectable screen views may be shown on at least a portion of the display 2 as a plurality of micro previews. Furthermore, the processing unit 5 is configured to provide, upon selection of a screen view, on at least a portion of the display 2, a preview 224 (shown in FIG. 2 c) of the selected screen view. Thus, the preview 224 is automatically displayed upon selecting the second screen view 306 with a Tap action or with a Tap and Hold action. Alternatively, the processing unit 5 is configured to provide the selected screen view directly, without showing any preview first, e.g. when a user taps on a selection area indicated by a micro preview.

If a Tap and Hold action is performed, the preview 224 may be displayed via a Flipping action of a tile or the preview 224, whereas different phases of the tile or the preview 224 being flipped are shown as an animation on the display 2 during the Flipping action. This Flipping action may indicate to the user that the preview, which is about to be displayed, will contain more information than a regular preview, which is not entered via a Flipping action.

FIG. 2 c shows a display of a breathing apparatus system 10. From FIG. 2 c it can be seen that windows, such as a first screen view 222 and a preview 224 of a second screen view may be displayed on the display 2 of the breathing apparatus system 10. Preferably, the preview 224 may be a simplified view without information on names of waveforms and/or loops. Alternatively, the preview 224 may be a view with waveforms and/or loops.

The processing unit 5 may be configured to display the first screen view 222 only on a display sub-area of the total display area of the display 2.

Furthermore, the processing unit 5 may be configured to display the preview 224 only on a sub-area of the total display area of the display 2 and/or a sub-area of the first screen view area. In an example, the sub area, in which the preview 224 is displayed, may be at least 25% of the total display or the total area of the first screen view 222.

The first screen view 222 on the display 2 is preferably not selectable by an operator of the breathing apparatus 1. However, the second screen view 306 can preferably be modified and is selectable by an operator of the breathing apparatus 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates different views during a time sequence. As can be seen from FIG. 3, at a time instance A, a first screen view 222 is displayed on the display 2. While the first screen view 222 is displayed, it is possible to tap or tap and hold on a selection area or a button associated with the displaying of a preview 224 and thereby a preview 224 of a second screen view will be displayed on top of the first screen view 222 at a time instance B, i.e. after time instance A and as a response to a Tap action or a Tap and Hold action. The Tap action and the Tap and Hold action are particularly advantageous when e.g. the display is a touch screen. The Tap and Hold action is defined as an action wherein a user taps the screen and keeps holding e.g. a finger on the screen for a predetermined time, such as 2 seconds. The Tap Action is then considered to have been performed, when a user taps the screen, but does not keep holding e.g. a finger on the screen for a predetermined time, such as 2 seconds. A Tap and Hold Action may be used instead of a Tap Action when e.g. functions critical to the safety needs to be activated or modified. This may provide for improved safety of the system, since it is much easier to, by mistake, tap on e.g. a touch screen than to tap and hold on e.g. a touch screen.

While the preview 224 is displayed, the second screen view 306 can be accepted by tapping in an Accept area as explained below and thereafter the second screen view 306 will be directly displayed on the display 2 at time instance C. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to go directly from one view to another via a preview 224.

Referring again to FIG. 2 c, it can be seen that the preview 224 is displayed on top of the first screen view 222 and that the first screen view 222 is displayed on a part of or preferably the whole display area 201. Thus, the first screen view 222 may still be displayed in the background, i.e. in areas outside the area covered by the preview 224, during the display of the preview 224. The first screen view 222 preferably covers the whole or total display area 201.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a preview 224. The preview 224 may be provided with selection areas 402, 404, 406. The selection areas 402, 404, 406 may be associated with different functions. As an example, the selection area 402 may be associated with directly accepting a second screen view 306. Thus, the selection area 402 is an Accept area. Once a user taps or taps and holds in the Accept area, the second screen view 306 associated with the preview 224 is directly displayed on the display 2. As another example, the selection area 404 may be associated with accepting and adjusting the layout of a second screen view 306. Thus, the selection area 404 is an Accept and Adjust layout area. Once a user taps or taps and holds in the Accept and Adjust layout area, the layout of the second screen view 306 associated with the preview 224 can be directly modified or adjusted, since such a Tap action or Tap and Hold action leads to the applying of the second screen view 306 and to the subsequent opening of a screen layout window, in which screen layout window adjustments or modifications to the second screen view 306 can be made. As yet another example, the selection area 406 may be associated with cancelling the display of a second screen view 306. Thus, when a user taps or presses this area, the preview 224 will disappear from the display 2 and the first screen view 222 will once again be displayed on the display 2. Therefore, the selection area 406 may be called a Cancellation area.

In some examples, the preview 224 comprises only basic data if a Tap action has been performed, whereas the preview 224 comprises basic and additional data if a Tap and Hold action has been performed. As an alternative to having a preview 224 provided with selection areas 402, 404, 406, the view window 202 may comprise a selection area for screen layout settings. When a user taps this selection area, the layout of the current screen view can be adjusted.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method 500 in a breathing apparatus system 10 is provided as illustrated in FIG. 5. The system 10 includes a breathing apparatus 1 having a display 2, a memory unit 3, and a processing unit 5. The method 500 is a method of internally controlling a display 2 of a breathing apparatus 1. The method comprises providing 502 a plurality of selectable screen views. Furthermore, the method comprises providing 504 a preview 224 of a selected screen view on at least a portion of the display 2, upon selection of a screen view.

The method may further comprise cancelling 506 or accepting 508 the selected second screen view 306 from the preview 224 or during display of the preview 224. The preview 224 may be provided as a response to a user selecting a second screen view 306 to switch to from a first screen view 222. Alternatively, the preview 224 is provided for switching to during set up, i.e. from a set-up view or no view at all. Moreover, the processing unit 5 is preferably configured to control the display 2 so that on a whole display area 201 thereof, a preview 224 of the second screen view 306 is presented before any switching to the second screen view 306 is performed. Thus, the user may choose to adjust or modify the second screen view 306 before it is displayed or to directly display the second screen view 306 without modifying it. Furthermore, the preview 224 may be provided prior to a user accepting the second screen view 306. The method may be advantageous, since it provides for that a simpler, easier to use and more user-friendly interface can be utilized.

A further advantage of the method may be that faster navigation from one view to another is provided.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure as illustrated in FIG. 6, a computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a computer program 600 for processing by a computer is provided. The computer program 600 comprises a code segment 602 for providing a plurality of selectable screen views. Furthermore, the computer program 600 comprises a code segment 604 for providing a preview 224 of the selected screen view on at least a portion of the display 2, upon selection of a screen view. In some examples the computer program 600 is implemented as a system. Then, instead of code segments, the system comprises modules.

The present disclosure has been described above with reference to specific examples. However, other examples than the above described are equally possible within the scope of the disclosure. Different method steps or a different order thereof than those described above may be provided within the scope of the disclosure. The different features and steps of the disclosure may be combined in other combinations than those described. The scope of the disclosure is only limited by the appended patent claims. 

I claim as my invention:
 1. A breathing apparatus system, comprising: a breathing apparatus, a display, a memory unit, and a processing unit; wherein said processing unit is in operative communication with said display and said memory unit; and wherein said processing unit is configured to provide a plurality of selectable screen views, and to provide, upon selection of a screen view, on at least a portion of said display, a preview of said selected screen view and/or to provide a plurality of micro previews of said selectable screen views on at least a portion of said display.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said preview is provided as a response to a user selecting a second screen view to switch to from a first screen view or to switch to during set up.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said preview is displayed on top of said first screen view and/or prior to a user accepting said second screen view.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein said second screen view is cancelable and/or acceptable from said preview or during a display of said preview.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein said preview is automatically displayed upon selecting said second screen view with a Tap action or a Tap and Hold action.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said preview is entered via a Flipping action of a tile, whereas different phases of a tile being flipped are shown as an animation on said display during said Flipping action, if a Tap and Hold action is performed.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said preview comprises basic data if a Tap action has been performed and wherein said preview comprises basic and additional data if a Tap action has been performed.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said preview comprises an Accept selection area, and wherein touching, pressing and/or tapping on said Accept selection area directly leads to the applying and displaying of said second screen view.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein said preview comprises an Accept and Adjust layout selection area, and wherein touching, pressing and/or tapping on said Accept and Adjust layout selection area leads to the applying of said second screen view and to the subsequent opening of a screen layout window, in which screen layout window adjustments to said second screen view can be made.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein a second screen view is automatically displayed upon selecting said second screen view with a Tap action or a Tap and Hold action on a micro preview associated with said second screen view.
 11. A method in a breathing apparatus system, said system including: a breathing apparatus having a display, a memory unit, and a processing unit; said method comprising: providing a plurality of selectable screen views; and providing a preview of a selected screen view on at least a portion of said display, upon selection of a screen view and/or providing a plurality of micro previews of said selectable screen views on at least a portion of said display.
 12. The method of claim 11, comprising providing said preview as a response to a user selecting a second screen view to switch to from a first screen view or to switch to during set up.
 13. The method of claim 12, comprising providing said preview prior to a user accepting said second screen view.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: cancelling or accepting said second screen view from said preview or during a display of said preview.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with programming instructions that, when said storage medium is loaded into a computer in communication with a display screen, cause said computer to: provide a plurality of selectable screen views; and provide a preview of said selected screen view on at least a portion of said display screen, upon selection of a screen view and/or provide a plurality of micro previews of said selectable screen views on at least a portion of said display screen. 